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Perform HACCP Audit using eAuditor

HACCP Audit is a systematic, documented evaluation of a food production system to verify that the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan is properly designed, implemented, and maintained. The audit ensures that food safety hazards are identified, controlled, and monitored effectively to prevent contamination and ensure consumer safety.

Performing a HACCP Audit using eAuditor ensures a comprehensive evaluation of your food safety management system, verifying that all hazards are identified, controlled, and documented according to the HACCP principles. This audit helps maintain regulatory compliance, improve food safety practices, and promote continuous system improvement.

1. Preparation Before the Audit

• Gather Documentation: Upload your current HACCP plan, including hazard analyses, CCPs, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification schedules, into eAuditor.
• Review Past Audit Findings: Import records of previous audits to track recurring issues or improvements.
• Customize Audit Checklist: Adapt eAuditor’s HACCP audit template to reflect your facility’s specific processes, hazards, and regulatory requirements. Include sections for all key areas such as CCP monitoring, staff training, and sanitation.

This preparation ensures the audit is tailored, comprehensive, and relevant.

2. HACCP Plan Review

• Document Accessibility: Relevant staff must document, approve, and make the HACCP plan available.
• Content Verification: Check that the plan includes all essential components: hazard identification, critical control points (CCPs), critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification methods.
• Plan Updates: Staff must regularly review the plan, update it as needed, implement version control, and document approval.

Example: Use eAuditor to tick off checklist items for each component, upload the plan as an attachment, and note any missing or outdated sections.

3. Critical Control Point (CCP) Monitoring

• Identification and Monitoring: The team must clearly identify CCPs in the production process and monitor them according to the HACCP plan.
• Record Accuracy: Review CCP monitoring records for completeness, accuracy, and timely entries.
• Critical Limits Compliance: Staff must regularly review the plan, update it as needed, implement version control, and document approval.
  
• Corrective Actions: Check if corrective actions are documented and effectively implemented whenever CCPs exceed limits.

Example: Use eAuditor to review scanned monitoring logs, photograph monitoring devices, and mark any deviations with notes.

4. Documentation and Record Keeping

• Record Integrity: Inspect monitoring logs, verification reports, and corrective action records for legibility, completeness, and proper signatures.
• Traceability Records: Ensure traceability documentation allows tracking of raw materials through processing to finished goods.
• Storage and Security: Verify records are securely stored and backed up according to company policy and regulatory requirements.

Example: Capture photos of record-keeping areas or electronic record systems and use eAuditor’s comment fields to document observations.

5. Facility and Operational Inspection

• Sanitation and Hygiene: Observe the facility for cleanliness, sanitation practices, and pest control effectiveness.
• Equipment Condition: Check that the equipment is clean, maintained, and calibrated. Food-contact surfaces must be undamaged and sanitized.
• Allergen Management: Verify procedures prevent allergen cross-contact, with proper labeling and segregation.
• Cross-Contamination Controls: Assess workflows and cleaning protocols to prevent contamination between raw and finished products.

Example: Use eAuditor’s photo function to document facility conditions or equipment issues and mark items that require attention.

6. Personnel Training and Competency

• Training Records: Confirm that all employees have completed HACCP-related food safety training appropriate to their roles.
• Staff Interviews: Conduct brief interviews with staff to assess their understanding of HACCP principles and specific job responsibilities.
• Ongoing Training: Verify schedules for refresher training and records of completed sessions.

Example: Attach scanned training certificates, add notes from interviews, and a checklist of compliance during the audit.

7. Non-Conformance Identification and Corrective Action

• Issue Logging: Record any non-conformities or gaps found during the audit within eAuditor’s system.
• Assign Responsibility: Allocate corrective actions to responsible personnel with clear deadlines and priorities.
• Track Completion: Use eAuditor’s workflow to monitor the progress and completion of corrective measures.
• Verification: Confirm that corrective actions are effective and documented with evidence such as photos or reports.

Example: Assign a corrective action for an improperly maintained CCP monitoring device, then track its repair and retest status within eAuditor.

8. Use of eAuditor Features During the Audit

• Mobile Inspection: Perform the audit directly on tablets or smartphones, capturing data instantly, even offline.
• Photo and Video Documentation: Attach visual evidence for compliance or issues, improving audit transparency.
• Customizable Checklists: Adapt questions and audit flow dynamically to the facility’s needs.
• Automated Alerts: Set up notifications for non-compliance, prompting immediate attention.
• Report Generation: Produce comprehensive, audit-ready reports with timestamps, photos, and digital signatures for regulatory and internal review.

9. Post-Audit Review and Follow-Up

• Review Findings: Analyze audit results with management and key stakeholders to prioritize improvements.
• Continuous Improvement: Integrate audit insights into HACCP plan updates, training programs, and operational changes.
• Schedule Next Audit: Plan regular audits to maintain and enhance food safety performance.

Summary

Performing a HACCP Audit using eAuditor offers a streamlined, thorough approach to verifying your food safety system’s effectiveness. By combining detailed documentation review, on-site inspections, personnel evaluations, and real-time corrective action management, eAuditor facilitates compliance, transparency, and continuous improvement—ultimately protecting consumer health and product integrity.

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